Method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete, and method of making an elastic band to facilitate same

ABSTRACT

A method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete includes placing an elastic band around an arm of the athlete, the elastic band being in a first state; stretching the elastic band to be in a second state, thereby separating a portion of the elastic band from the arm; and releasing the stretched elastic band from the second state, wherein as the elastic band returns toward the first state the elastic band strikes the arm to apply a tactile sensation to the arm of the athlete.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an elastic band, such as an athleticwristband and, more particularly, to a method of using the elastic bandfor promoting self-discipline of an athlete, and a method of making theelastic band.

2. Description of the Related Art

Athletic wristbands may be used to display a sports team identification,and are often used to promote team unity. Such wristbands may be, forexample, made of a rubber material that includes text and/ordecorations, e.g., team logos, team mascot picture, etc.

For example, one such wristband resembles a rubber band wherein the textand/or decorations are painted on the outer surface of the rubber band.Another example of such a wristband is a rubber band having the textand/or decorations cut into the outer surface of the rubber band.

What is needed in the art is a method of using an elastic band forpromoting self-discipline of an athlete, and a method of making theelastic band.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of using an elastic band forpromoting self-discipline of an athlete, and a method of making theelastic band.

The invention, in one form thereof, relates to a method of promotingself-discipline of an athlete. The method includes placing an elasticband around an arm of the athlete, the elastic band being in a firststate; stretching the elastic band to be in a second state, therebyseparating a portion of the elastic band from the arm; and releasing thestretched elastic band from the second state, wherein as the elasticband returns toward the first state the elastic band strikes the arm toapply a tactile sensation to the arm of the athlete.

The invention, in another form thereof, relates to an athletic band. Theathletic band is a flexible band having a base surface. Indicia extendupwardly from the base surface.

The invention, in another form thereof, relates to a method for forminga plurality of elastic bands. The method includes providing a corehaving an outer surface; positioning a cylinder having an embossedinterior surface around the core, the embossed interior surface definingeach of the plurality of the elastic bands along a height of thecylinder; spacing the outer surface of the core and the embossedinterior surface of the cylinder to define a void between the outersurface and the embossed interior surface; and inserting an elasticmaterial in a liquid state into the void, the embossed interior surfacedefining a molded article along a height of the cylinder, the moldedarticle including the plurality of elastic bands, the embossed interiorsurface forming indicia that extend upwardly from a base surface of eachof the plurality of the elastic bands when the elastic material cures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elastic band in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of promoting self-discipline of anathlete, in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are graphical illustrations used to aid inunderstanding the flowchart of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a method for making a plurality of elastic bands, inaccordance with the present invention FIG. 5A is an exploded view of amold used to make a plurality of elastic bands in accordance with thepresent invention, with a portion sectioned away to expose an embossedinterior surface.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the mold of FIG. 5A, with the mold in anassembled condition.

FIG. 5C is a top view of the mold of FIG. 5B, with an elastic materialinserted in the mold.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shownan elastic band 10, such as an athletic wristband, in accordance withthe present invention. Elastic band 10 may be made, for example, fromrubber.

Elastic band 10 is a flexible band having a base surface 12. Elasticband 10 has a length L and a width W. Indicia 14 extend outwardly frombase surface 12. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, indicia 14 may be in the formof raised text or symbols. Indicia 14 may be, for example, a sports teamidentifier, such as the club name or school name of the sports team, apicture of the team mascot, and/or other identifying text or symbols. Ifdesired, at least a portion of indicia 14 may extend to a width W ofelastic band 10.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of promoting self-discipline of anathlete, in accordance with the present invention. The self-disciplineis self-administered by the athlete to himself/herself by applying atactile sensation to his/her own skin, thereby inflicting a mild to highsensation as a punishment or reminder, for example, for poor play so asto promote better concentration during a sporting event. The method ofFIG. 2 will be described in relation to the illustrations of FIGS.3A-3C.

At step S100, elastic band 10 is placed around an arm 16 of the athlete(see FIG. 3A). As shown in FIG. 3A, at this time elastic band 10 is in afirst state, e.g., a relaxed state, or a state of slight tension,depending on the size of elastic band 10 in relation to the size of thearm 16 of the athlete.

At step S102, elastic band 10 is stretched to be in a second state (seeFIG. 3B), e.g., in a stretched state of moderate to high tension,thereby separating a portion 18 of elastic band 10 from the arm 16 ofthe athlete. For example, the athlete may grasp portion 18 of elasticband 10 with a free hand 20, and pull, thereby stretching elastic band10, at which time the length L of elastic band 10 increases and thewidth W of at least portion 18 of elastic band 10 decreases.

At step S104, the athlete releases the stretched elastic band 10 (seeFIG. 3C) from the second state, wherein as elastic band 10 returnstoward the first state, elastic band 10 strikes the skin surface 22 ofthe arm 16 to apply a tactile sensation to the arm 16 of the athlete.The amount of tactile sensation will depend, at least in part, on howfar elastic band 10 is stretched, and may range, for example, from amild stimulation to a painful stimulation.

FIG. 4 is a method for making a plurality of elastic bands, includingelastic band 10, in accordance with the present invention. The methodwill be described in relation to the illustrations of FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIGS. 5A-5C show a two-part mold 24 including a core 26 and a cylinder28. Core 26 has an outer surface 30, which may be smooth. Cylinder 28has an embossed interior surface 32 for defining each of the pluralityof said elastic bands along height H of cylinder 28, and moreparticularly, for forming indicia 14 that that extend upwardly from basesurface 12 of each elastic band 10 (see FIG. 1). A void 34 is formedbetween outer surface 30 and embossed interior surface 32 around core26.

At step S200, cylinder 28 having embossed interior surface 32 ispositioned around core 26. As shown in FIG. 5A, embossed interiorsurface 32 will define each of the plurality of elastic bands along theheight H of cylinder 28.

At step S202, outer surface 30 of core 26 and embossed interior surface32 of cylinder 28 are spaced laterally to define void 34 between outersurface 30 and embossed interior surface 32.

At step S204, an elastic material, e.g., rubber, in a liquid state isinserted into void 34. For example, rubber may be poured or injectedinto void 34. Embossed interior surface 32 thus, in part, defines amolded article 36 along height H of cylinder 28 that is formed in void34 between core 26 and cylinder 28. Molded article 36 includes theplurality of elastic bands, with embossed interior surface 32 formingindicia 14 that extend upwardly from base surface 12 of each of theplurality of elastic bands (see elastic band 10 of FIG. 1) when theelastic material cures.

At step S206, cylinder 28 is separated from core 26.

At step S208, molded article 36 is removed from mold 24.

At step S210, molded article 36 is separated into individual elasticbands, e.g., elastic band 10, of the plurality of elastic bands. Suchseparation may occur, for example, by cutting molded article 36.

While this invention has been described with respect to embodiments ofthe present invention, the present invention can be further modifiedwithin the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application istherefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of theinvention using its general principles. Further, this application isintended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as comewithin known or customary practice in the art to which this inventionpertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. A method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete, comprising,placing an elastic band around an arm of said athlete, said elastic bandbeing in a first state; stretching said elastic band to be in a secondstate, thereby separating a portion of said elastic band from said arm;and releasing the stretched elastic band from said second state, whereinas said elastic band returns toward said first state said elastic bandstrikes said arm to apply a tactile sensation to said arm of saidathlete.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said elastic band includesindicia.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of saidindicia extends to a width of said elastic band, said width of saidelastic band decreasing as said elastic band is stretched.
 4. The methodof claim 2, wherein said indicia is a sports team identifier.
 5. Themethod of claim 2, wherein said indicia extend outwardly from a basesurface of said elastic band.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein saidelastic band is made of rubber, said rubber, while in a liquid form,being inserted into a mold having an outer cylinder and an inner core,said outer cylinder having an interior surface that is embossed to formsaid indicia that extend upwardly from said base surface when saidrubber cures.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said mold simultaneouslyforms a plurality of elastic bands.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid elastic band is made of rubber.
 9. An athletic band, comprising: aflexible band having a base surface; and indicia that extend outwardlyfrom said base surface.
 10. The athletic band of claim 9, wherein saidindicia is a sports team identifier.
 11. A method for forming aplurality of elastic bands, comprising: providing a core having an outersurface; positioning a cylinder having an embossed interior surfacearound said core, said embossed interior surface defining each of saidplurality of elastic bands along a height of said cylinder; spacing saidouter surface of said core and said embossed interior surface of saidcylinder to define a void between said outer surface and said embossedinterior surface; and inserting an elastic material in a liquid stateinto said void, said embossed interior surface defining a molded articlealong a height of said cylinder, said molded article including saidplurality of elastic bands, said embossed interior surface formingindicia that extend outwardly from a base surface of each of saidplurality of said elastic bands when said elastic material cures. 12.The method of claim 11, further comprising: separating said cylinderfrom said core; removing said molded article; and separating said moldedarticle into individual elastic bands of said plurality of elasticbands.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said elastic material isrubber.